Off the Baltic Coast, a Substantial Find of Oil and Gas in Poland - Discovery of Significant Oil and Gas Reserves Near Poland's Baltic Coastline
The Baltic Sea Corporation, identified as Central European Petroleum (CEP), has made a significant oil discovery off the Polish Baltic coast. The Wolin East offshore oil field, located approximately six kilometers from the Polish port city of Swinoujscie (Swinemünde), is visible from the German part of the holiday island of Usedom.
This discovery, made at the Wolin East 1 (WE1) well, is the largest oil discovery in Poland since World War II. The field contains an estimated 200 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in recoverable oil, sales gas, and natural gas liquids within the Wolin East 1 well[1][2]. The broader Wolin license area is estimated to hold over 400 mmboe of recoverable hydrocarbons, including further low-risk exploration potential in the Main Dolomite formation and the deeper Rotliegend formation[1][2].
The oil field lies in the Baltic Sea, offshore Poland, near the city of Świnoujście[1][2][3][4]. Hydrocarbons are found mainly in the Main Dolomite geological formation, with additional potential in the deeper Rotliegend formation[1][2][3].
The discovery could more than double Poland’s current estimated oil reserves, which were about 20 million tonnes in 2023. This would have a significant effect on Poland’s energy independence and supply security[4]. Increasing domestic production from the Wolin East field could reduce Poland's reliance on oil imports, thereby impacting national energy security and possibly the broader European energy mix[5].
While exact production start dates have not been specified, drilling and testing were completed in 2025. Given typical project timelines in offshore oil, production could realistically begin in the coming several years after appraisal, infrastructure development, and regulatory approvals. Once in production, the oil field Wolin East could cover four to five percent of Poland's annual oil demand for several years[6].
The oil and gas off the Polish Baltic coast could potentially be a significant resource for the country's energy needs. However, no further details about the ownership of the oil field or extraction plans beyond the initial announcement were provided in the article.
References: [1] Central European Petroleum (CEP) Announces Significant Oil Discovery in Poland. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.cep.com/news/cep-announces-significant-oil-discovery-in-poland [2] Poland's Largest Oil Discovery Since World War II. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.pap.pl/nauka-i-technologia/polska-najwieksza-odkrycie-naftowe-od-wojny-swiatowej-idziemy-do-wody-5067767 [3] Poland's Baltic Sea Oil Discovery: What You Need to Know. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57262959 [4] Poland's Baltic Sea Oil Discovery Could Boost Energy Security. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/polands-baltic-sea-oil-discovery-could-boost-energy-security-2025-07-01/ [5] The Impact of Poland's Baltic Sea Oil Discovery on European Energy. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/the-impact-of-polands-baltic-sea-oil-discovery-on-european-energy/ [6] Poland's Baltic Sea Oil Field Could Meet Four to Five Percent of Annual Demand. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/polands-baltic-sea-oil-field-could-meet-four-to-five-percent-of-annual-demand-11634057001
The discovery at the Wolin East offshore oil field, located near the Polish city of Świnoujście, could significantly impact the Polish energy industry, potentially increasing domestic oil reserves by more than double. This discovery, made by Central European Petroleum (CEP), could influence Poland's finance sector, as increased domestic production could reduce the country's reliance on oil imports, impacting national energy security and possibly the broader European energy mix.
